In less than two years, Maria Sole Cecchi’s accessories label Les Petits Joueurs has gained a level of street-style stardom rivalling that of he designer herself.
Born in Florence in 1987, Cecchi relocated to Paris at 20. Her accessory ambitions began when, out of boredom with the black-handbag uniform of Parisian women, she customised a handbag with Lego bricks spelling out “LOVE,” sparking a slew of personal orders from family and friends.
After a stint in Sao Paulo, Cecchi returned to Florence in 2014, where she teamed up with her brother and business partner, Andrea Cecchi, to launch Les Petits Joueurs’ first seasonal collection of brightly-coloured bags.
Cecchi’s made-in-Italy accessories scored her first place in the Vogue Talents competition for emerging designers. Within just two years of starting up, the brand was available in 145 countries. In September 2016, the first Les Petits Joueurs boutique opened on Via de’ Tornabuoni, Florence’s luxury shopping street, relocating the company to Milan shortly after. In November 2018 the brand announced its expansion into footwear.